Headlines
2023: Kwankwaso dismisses poll result, says Peter Obi can only win on social media
Nasiru Yusuf
The campaign council of NNPP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election have dismissed a recent opinion poll that put the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, ahead of Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar.
KANO FOCUS reports that the spokesperson of NNPP presidential campaign council, Abdulmumin Jibrin, tear the outcome of the poll, saying it is laughable.
Speaking on “Politics Today” a programme on Channels Television, on Thursday, Mr Jibrin, said the programme gave credence to the poll which should have been ignored.
Against the projection of the poll that Mr Kwankwaso, a former two-term governor of Kano State, lost the north, Mr Jubril said his principal has the region on “lockdown” and will garner the rest of the needed votes from the other parts of the country to win the February presidential election.
“Let me say this, NOI poll clearly projected that Jonathan would win the 2015 election but he lost, which included many other works (NOI) has done. There is no work that they have done, where you can say that the projections are right or anything.
“Well, that is the extent that I will go in giving any recognition to that statement. It is absolutely false and is not a representation of the reality on ground, particularly if you are talking about the northern part. I have said this repeatedly, Rabiu Kwankwaso has the northern part on lockdown, in a matter of three to four months, the fact will emerge,” he argued.
Weighing the chances of both Messrs Tinubu and Atiku against Mr Kwankwaso, Mr Jubril described the APC presidential candidate as “a good person (pilot) in a bad party (aeroplane) called APC.”
He said Mr Obi and supporters are divisive but admitted to the chance of Atiku picking a fair number of votes across the country in the election.
In the result of the poll conducted and released by ANAP Foundation, on Thursday, Mr Obi, was ranked first, beating Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Both Messrs Tinubu and Atiku shared the second position, while Mr Kwankwaso came a distant fourth position in the poll.
In the percentage rating, the LP candidate got 21 per cent while the APC and PDP candidates garnered only 13 per cent each from the poll said to have been conducted across the six geo-political zones in the country.
The researchers did not disclose the methodology and the number of people that participated in the poll.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Malam Ibrahim Zubair, a respected academic and dedicated public servant, who passed away recently.
KANO FOCUS reports that Malam Ibrahim Zubair was a lecturer in the Faculty of Education at Northwest University, Kano, Centre Officer at Dawakin Tofa and prominent member of the Kwankwasiyya Scholars Assembly.
In a condolence message signed by his spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa the Governor described the late lecturer as a humble, hardworking, and principled individual who dedicated his life to teaching, mentorship, and community development.
“Kano has lost one of its finest intellectuals, a man who inspired many young minds and contributed significantly to our educational system,” the statement read.
The Governor extended his heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family, colleagues, students, and the entire academic community.
He prayed to Allah to forgive Malam Ibrahim Zubair’s shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and give his loved ones the strength to bear the loss.
Tributes have continued to pour in from colleagues and students, who described him as an approachable and passionate teacher, known for his depth of knowledge and unwavering commitment to educational excellence.
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named Leadership Governor of the Year 2024 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the education sector.
The award was presented during the 17th Leadership Newspaper Awards held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The event celebrated notable Nigerians who have made significant impacts in various fields, including Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who was named Person of the Year 2024, and the Governor of Jigawa State, who also received a Governor of the Year award.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the recognition was described as a validation of Governor Yusuf’s bold reforms in education, which have repositioned the sector in Kano State after years of neglect.
Governor Yusuf was particularly commended for allocating 31% of the state’s annual budget to education, surpassing the UNESCO benchmark, and for declaring a state of emergency on the sector.
His administration’s initiatives include massive school renovations, provision of learning materials, recruitment of teachers, and the launch of a comprehensive Education Recovery Plan.
Speaking after receiving the award, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to the organizers, describing the honor as unexpected and highly credible.
“We never imagined that our efforts would receive such national recognition. We did not pay for this award, we did not lobby for it — we were simply recognized for what we have achieved in Kano,” the Governor said.
He dedicated the award to vulnerable children across the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening reforms in education.
“This recognition has given us more encouragement to keep pushing for excellence. I thank the Leadership Newspaper management and the media for their continued support,” he added.
The event also marked the 20th anniversary of Leadership Newspaper, celebrating two decades of impactful journalism.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the Kano State Police Command to take over the investigation of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II following the violent incident that marred the Sallah celebration on March 30, 2025.
This directive replaces an earlier move by the Force Headquarters, which had invited the Emir to Abuja for questioning. That invitation has now been withdrawn, as the IGP opts for a more localized and less politically sensitive approach.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP’s decision followed consultations with key stakeholders who advised that handling the matter within Kano would help avoid escalating tensions or creating political interpretations of police action.
Tensions erupted on Sallah Day when Emir Sanusi, after attending Eid prayers barefooted, mounted a horse and led a procession through the streets — a move seen as defying a prior agreement by the two rival emirs to suspend all Durbar activities to preserve peace.
The procession allegedly involved local vigilantes and triggered clashes with youths in the area, resulting in the death of one Usman Sagiru and injuries to several others.
According to police, intelligence had earlier warned of potential conflict if the disputed emirs — Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Alhaji Sanusi — went ahead with separate Durbar festivals.
As a preventive measure, senior officers were deployed to broker peace, leading to an agreement that no horse-riding or processions would take place.
Despite this, Emir Sanusi’s actions sparked violence, prompting police investigations and arrests.
The Force maintains that it will pursue justice with professionalism and neutrality.
Gov. Yusuf mourns death of University Don, Ibrahim Zubair
Governor Yusuf Named Leadership Governor of the Year 2024 for Education
K-SAFE mourns death of Dr. Auwalu Inusa Mohammed
IGP Orders Kano Police to Investigate Emir Sanusi, Withdraws Invitation from Force HQ
